<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPULAR, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         573,396
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          10,638
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               868,513
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               163,645
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  7,979,951
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         376,540
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           369,794
<LOANS>                                     16,237,687
<ALLOWANCE>                                    295,177
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              27,230,263
<DEPOSITS>                                  14,557,878
<SHORT-TERM>                                 8,680,773
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            444,545
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,709,429
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       829,729
<OTHER-SE>                                     906,005
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              27,230,263
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,183,634
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              351,863
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                56,252
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,591,749
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             392,684
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             854,737
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          737,012
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  148,398
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              13,740
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                666,780
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                266,435
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     200,604
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   200,604
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.25
<LOANS-NON>                                    322,342
<LOANS-PAST>                                    24,960
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                134,044
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               292,010
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  173,502
<RECOVERIES>                                    44,258
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              295,177
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           292,146
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                              3,031
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0